OVERVIEW

Rochester Institute of Technology is a private university in the United States. As a member of the Association of Independent Technological Universities, it is composed of nine academic colleges. It has now about 14,753 undergraduates and 2,899 post graduate students, and about 3,766 faculty staff.

RIT was founded in 1829 as Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute, and was renamed Rochester Institute of Technology in 1944. It was originally located within the city of Rochester, New York, but currently, it has its 1,300-acre campus in the town of Henrietta in the Rochester, New York metropolitan area.

Rochester Institute of Technology offers degrees in certificate, diploma, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, post-master’s certificate, and doctorate programs. It is widely recognized for its career-focused education, and emphasizes on the instruction in the arts & sciences/professions.

The mission of Rochester Institute of Technology is:

RIT’s mission is to provide a broad range of career-oriented educational programs with the goal of producing innovative, creative graduates who are well-prepared for their chosen careers in a global society. The RIT community engages and motivates students through stimulating and collaborative experiences. We rigorously pursue new and emerging career areas. We develop and deliver curricula and advance scholarship and research relevant to emerging technologies and social conditions. Our community is committed to diversity and student centeredness and is distinguished by our innovative and collaborative spirit. Internal and external partnerships expand our students’ experiential learning. RIT is committed to mutually enriching relationships with alumni, government, business, and the world community. Teaching, learning, scholarship, research, innovation, and leadership development for promoting student success are our central enterprises.

ACCREDITATION

RIT is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The most recent accreditation was done in 2007.

ACADEMICS

Rochester Institute of Technology comprises 12 colleges:

1. College of Applied Science and Technology
2. E. Philip Saunders College of Business
3. B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences
4. Kate Gleason College of Engineering
5. College of Imaging Arts and Sciences
6. College of Liberal Arts
7. College of Science
8. National Technical Institute for the Deaf
9. Golisano Institute for Sustainability
10. Center for Multidisciplinary Studies
11. University Studies

The most popular majors and course of study for students are as follows:

1. Engineering
2. Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
3. Visual and Performing Arts
4. Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
5. Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields

Rochester Institute of Technology was ranked No. 7 in the Regional Universities (North) category in the 2011 US News and World Report ranking. In addition, some of its programs are well recognized in the country, such as its several fine arts programs are regularly ranked in the Top 10 list by the US News & World Report.

At RIT, several notable academic programs are offered. The Microelectronic Engineering program is the only ABET-accredited undergraduate program in the States; the imaging science department is still the only formal program in Imaging Science in US.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

RIT is selective in admission, with academic GPA, rigor of secondary school record essential in the selection of candidates. At the same time, class rank, standardized test scores, recommendations, application essay, etc. are also very important in the application. Applicants are required to have high school diploma, and GED is accepted.

COSTS AND FINANCIAL AID

The tuition is USD 30,282 every academic year, and the room and board cost about USD 10,044 on average. The book expense is USD 1,050 as common, and some other fees may be required.

A range of options are offered as financial aids for full-time students to carry on and finish their study at RIT. The aids types vary among need-based scholarships or grants, loans, student employment, and so on. In all, about 88 percent freshmen and 77 undergraduates receive certain kind of financial aids during their study.